What is synchronous cardioversion?
Synchronized cardioversion is a procedure similar to electrical defibrillation in that a transthoracic electrical current is applied to the anterior chest to terminate a life-threatening or unstable tachycardic arrhythmia.
When is synchronized cardioversion used?
Synchronized cardioversion is used to treat other arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation (AF), atrial flutter and stable ventricular tachycardia when medications have failed to convert the rhythm, or when the patient is becoming unstable and the rhythm must be immediately terminated.
What is the difference between defibrillation and synchronized cardioversion?
Synchronized cardioversion delivers a low energy shock to the heart, whereas during defibrillation, a high-energy shock is delivered without the need to time the shock to the unstable rhythm.
How is synchronized shock delivered?
Electrodes should be placed below the clavicle on the right side of the chest and about two inches below the mid-axillary line beside the nipple on the left side. The “SYNC” button on the defibrillator machine should be pressed. Review the rhythm strip to ensure the R wave is being marked and sensed by the machine.
What rhythms require synchronized cardioversion?
The most common indications for synchronized cardioversion are unstable atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardias. If medications fail in the stable patient with the before mentioned arrhythmias, synchronized cardioversion will most likely be indicated.
What is synchronized defibrillator?
Synchronized cardioversion is a LOW ENERGY SHOCK that uses a sensor to deliver electricity that is synchronized with the peak of the QRS complex (the highest point of the R-wave). When the “sync” option is engaged on a defibrillator and the shock button pushed, there will be a delay in the shock.
What is synchronized shock therapy?
Synchronized cardioversion involves the delivery of a low-energy shock which is timed or synchronized to be delivered at a specific point in the QRS complex (see the image below). A synchronized shock is delivered at this precise moment to avoid causing or inducing ventricular fibrillation.